Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 779: Chapter 413 An Invitation_2

For several consecutive days, cultivators of great power have been arriving at Zhuo Peak of the Supreme Mysterious Sect.

This left Gu Sheng feeling quite helpless—or rather, irritated.

"Senior Brother Gu, here’s an invitation for you and Senior Sister Ji."

That day, a disciple from Zhuo Peak handed Gu Sheng an invitation.

"For me? An invitation?"

Gu Sheng took the invitation with a bewildered expression, but then felt his heart tighten suddenly.

"Could it be... Li Xiaoman is getting married? And she sent me a wedding invitation?"

Gu Sheng grew increasingly anxious.

Although they were an ex-couple, receiving an invitation now felt like standing in a thunderstorm holding a lightning rod.

When he opened the invitation nervously, he realized it was nothing of the sort.

"Phew... Why is it from Ling Peak again."

Gu Sheng transitioned from tension to calmness.

At that moment, Ji Ziyue strolled over: "What is it now?"

"Here, it’s yours."

Gu Sheng tossed the invitation to Ji Ziyue and walked away.

"Hehe..."

Ji Ziyue opened the invitation, glanced at it, and couldn’t help laughing. "Inviting us to visit Ling Peak? Sure, why not."

After finishing her sentence, Ji Ziyue closed the invitation and said to the disciple, "Go and reply to them, tell them we’ll be there."

"Understood."

The disciple responded and left.

"You can go by yourself. Don’t drag me along—I’m not in the mood."

Gu Sheng leaned back in his chair, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

"What’s wrong with you? That crazy old senior hasn’t woken up, and who knows how long he’ll sleep? Are you planning to keep him company the whole time?"

Ji Ziyue sat down next to Gu Sheng and asked.

Gu Sheng didn’t respond, staring blankly ahead.

"I’m talking to you! What’s up with you? Staying at Zhuo Peak unhappily but refusing to go out—seriously!"

Ji Ziyue intentionally provoked him with her words.

Gu Sheng bolted upright, walking straight toward the door.

"Fine, if you’re not going, I’ll visit Li Xiaoman at Ling Peak and have a good chat with her."

Ji Ziyue deliberately blurted.

Gu Sheng froze mid-step: "What are you going to talk to her about?"

"About you, of course! Women are born gossip lovers; I’m no exception. I might even write your emotional history into a book. I’ve already thought of the title—it’d be called *The Love and Hatred of Gu Sheng*."

Ji Ziyue sat smugly in the chair, adopting the classic "unconcerned observer" posture.

"You... fine, fine, I’ll go with you, okay?"

Gu Sheng waved his hand with resignation.

The next day, after taking leave from Li Ruoyu, Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue flew toward Ling Peak together.

When they arrived at Ling Peak’s gate, they saw Li Xiaoman already waiting for them.

Today, she was dressed in a flowing green gown, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Her ethereal demeanor resembled that of a fairy untouched by worldly affairs.

Upon seeing Li Xiaoman, Ji Ziyue couldn’t help but tease her.

"Xiao Man, why are you here waiting for us today? Did you hear we were coming and dress up this gorgeously just for us?"

Li Xiaoman smiled faintly, unfazed by Ji Ziyue’s teasing.

Her gaze turned to Gu Sheng, and she nodded politely: "Gu Sheng, Ji Ziyue, welcome to Ling Peak."

Ji Ziyue noticed that Li Xiaoman’s gaze carried a subtle gentleness whenever she looked at Gu Sheng.

This, invisibly, stirred a competitive spark within Ji Ziyue.

"Xiao Man, do you have a crush on Zhuo Peak’s Gu Sheng?"

Ji Ziyue asked outright.

"Ziyue, what nonsense are you saying."

Gu Sheng muttered under his breath, clearly annoyed.

"What’s wrong with talking about it? We’re all adults—oh, wait, no, you’re still a kid, not even of age yet."

Ji Ziyue teased deliberately.

Li Xiaoman smiled faintly, seemingly unaffected.

"Ziyue, don’t misunderstand. I’m not the one that invited you here; it was someone else."

"Someone else? Who?"

Ji Ziyue’s curiosity instantly piqued.

"Follow me."

Li Xiaoman smiled and turned, leading the way inside.

This time, instead of the usual cultivation site, Li Xiaoman guided them toward Ling Peak’s secluded side.

They passed through a bamboo grove, where the view suddenly opened up.

A picturesque valley unfolded before them, with gurgling streams and blooming flowers.

Butterflies danced amid the greenery, creating a scene like a paradise on earth.

Both Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue were captivated by the stunning scenery.

They hadn’t expected there to be such a tranquil and beautiful spot hidden within Ling Peak.

"This is too breathtaking—why didn’t I ever discover that Ling Peak had such a marvelous area?"

Ji Ziyue exclaimed in awe.

"This is the rear side of Ling Peak, rarely visited normally."

Li Xiaoman explained with a smile.

Ji Ziyue excitedly ran to the stream, playfully splashing the crystal-clear water.

Droplets glimmered in the sunlight, sparkling brilliantly.

Gu Sheng, however, found a flat stone and sat down.

"Phew..."

He inhaled the fresh air deeply, feeling completely relaxed.

"This place is truly stunning—thank you for bringing us here."

Gu Sheng said to Li Xiaoman.

Li Xiaoman shook her head gently: "Don’t thank me, because I wasn’t the one who wanted you to come here."

"Oh? Then who?"

Gu Sheng asked curiously, glancing around yet finding no one else.

"Ding ding dong dong..."

Before his question could be answered, a melodious sound of an ancient zither filled the air.

Startled, Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue were quickly absorbed by the enchanting melody.

The zither’s music seemed to possess a magic power, soothing their minds and cleansing their spirits.

Li Xiaoman smiled softly, evidently unsurprised by the music.

She gestured tenderly, signaling Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue to follow her toward the source of the sound.

They passed through swaths of flowers and arrived at an elegant pavilion beside a shimmering lake.

The lake reflected the surrounding mountains and sparkled under gentle ripples.

Inside the pavilion sat a handsome man dressed in azure robes.

His slender, refined fingers plucked the zither strings, producing the captivating tunes.

Even as they approached, the man didn’t stop playing.

He merely glanced up briefly, gesturing for them to take a seat with his eyes.

Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue exchanged glances before sitting on the stone stools within the pavilion.

The music intertwined with the lake’s ripples, the chirping of birds, and the gentle breeze, creating a harmonious and serene scene.

As the melody deepened, Gu Sheng felt his mind reach a state of tranquility, as if all worries had vanished with the wind.

After a while, the music faded, and the man finally ceased his movements.

Raising his head, he smiled lightly at Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue: "Gu Sheng, Ji Ziyue, greetings."

"You... you know us?"

Gu Sheng asked in surprise.

The man nodded with a smile: "Xiao Man told me about you. She said you hailed from a land far away, with a culture unique from that of East Desolation. Your story is, in a way, a legend."

"Uh... You’re too kind, too kind."

Gu Sheng smiled outwardly but felt annoyed with Li Xiaoman inwardly.

He hadn’t expected her to divulge his secrets to this man.

"This is Hua Yunfei of Ling Peak, Senior Brother Hua. He’s been in seclusion and just came out today."

Li Xiaoman explained.

"What? Hua... Hua Yunfei?"

Ji Ziyue froze upon hearing the name, suddenly appearing flustered.

Gu Sheng, noticing her odd stature, couldn’t help but feel baffled.

"Ziyue, what’s wrong?"

Gu Sheng asked.

Seeing Ji Ziyue’s reaction, Hua Yunfei chuckled: "Is the esteemed Miss Ji of the ancient Ji family not fond of this place?"

"No, no, not at all."

Ji Ziyue quickly shook her head and then asked hesitantly: "You... Are you the one who once sparred with my brother, Ji Haoyue?"

"Haha..."

Hua Yunfei laughed softly. "It wasn’t a duel of life and death, but merely a spar. Saying it like that makes it sound as if we had some epic battle."

"What? He knows your brother Ji Haoyue? And fought him?"

Gu Sheng was astonished by their conversation.